Cheyenne Lewis

Love is one of the most wonderful parts of human existence; it is beautiful, but one of the hardest things a person can experience. Love is not just a feeling, but a venture that must constantly be worked at and put effort into to be maintained. THE NOTEBOOK, currently playing at ASU Gammage and based on Nicholas Sparks’ novel of the same name, explores what a lifelong love story looks like.

Nearly 161 years ago, President Abraham Lincoln was shot by actor John Wilkes Booth at Ford’s Theatre as he watched a production of OUR AMERICA COUSIN. Every American knows this famous and tragic tale, but not everyone will know the story of those on stage that night. Making its full-length premiere in Phoenix, Angelique Fustukjian, Matthew Namik, and Nick Roy’s new play OUR AMERICAN TRAGEDY tells the story of the cast and crew after that terrible night.

Every couple deserves a space to feel safe, accepted, celebrated, and normal. Although a milestone was crossed in 2015 with the legalization of gay marriage in the United States, many people, both in and outside of the United States, are still unable to love freely. The Bridge Initiative’s performance of Diana Son’s play, STOP KISS, is a reminder of both the not-so-distant past and the homophobia that is still present today.

Wars of the past are viewed by many as a necessary evil, and certain battles are even thought of as glorious or grand. This perspective overlooks the lives lost on both sides, the trauma so many soldiers have faced throughout history, and that many still face today. Southwest Shakespeare Company’s production of HENRY V takes a nuanced look at the play, the worth of war, and the horrors of battle.

Although society may have tried to conceal them, bold and daring women have existed throughout history. Sisterhood and the realities of being a woman in the Civil War era are central themes in this musical adaptation of Louisa May Alcott’s classic novel. The Bridge Initiative’s concert version of the musical is an exciting venture into those topics.

Audience members who enjoy Shakespeare but are looking for a new take on his classic stories, or those who have struggled with Shakespeare in the past, will enjoy THE MERRY WIVES OF WINDSOR. This trailer-park take on the play is full of fun performances and laugh-worthy moments.

Grief can feel like its own disease, a highly personalized feeling where no two people will share the exact thoughts or emotional journey. It lingers, and if those facing it are not careful, it can quickly consume the person’s life. Ronin Theatre Collective’s production of Ashley Rose Wellman’s SHRINES brilliantly dives into these themes at the play’s world premiere.

Sometimes the best friendships come from the most unexpected places. ALWAYS…PATSY CLINE is more than just a tribute to the late singer; it is a showcase of the beauty and importance of female friendships and a little bit of kindness.

One of the most difficult decisions an actor can face is the choice between financial gain and artistic integrity. When you add the paranormal haunting from a previous actor who played Hamlet, that choice becomes even harder. Ghostlight Theatre’s production of I HATE HAMLET is a quirky but insightful look into the challenges many actors face.